Processed Vs Natural Foods as seen in our Stomach

Processed food definitely differs to natural food , whether in their caloric value, preservative content, nutritional benefits and other health differences.
This is constantly proved by  bright food  scientists, nutritionists, medical doctors  researching on this subject. But what how can a filmmaker prove these differences? And  To  what extend does this food differ when we swallow, till we digest , up till we absorb the distinct ingredients in it?

This is what Stefani Bardin  is  trying to find out through a project called: "M2A™: The Fantastic Voyage"
Stefani Bardin*  is currently producing a body of work that explores the influences of corporate culture and industrial food production on our food system. These investigations take the form of single and multi-channel videos, immersive and interactive installations and video games.

Here is about M2A™:

" M2A™:The Fantastic Voyage is an installation built around the first ever clinical study to use the M2A™ Capsule and SmartPill wireless gastroenterology devices to look at how the human body responds to processed versus whole foods. The M2A™ Capsule records video (in the form of a Quick Time Movie file) and the SmartPill collects time, pressure, and pH data both from within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Stefani have been working with gastroenterologist Dr. Braden Kuo of Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital (with additional support from Nutritionist Lisa Sasson at NYU) to enact two initial investigative trial using both of the pills. The first trial took place June 25th and was the first time that this technology was used in concert with food to investigate and examine the impact of certain
comestibles on the GI tract.(This Is What Ramen Looks Like in Your Stomach: link)

Pictures from Bardin's Project : Fantastic Voyage

After two hours and a half , notice how the shape of the ramen noodles is still noodle shaped and haven't been digested whereas and the handmade ramen noodles on the right  have been transformed into something soluble and can be transported and absorbed by the body . Tells you something that processed foods are made to survive the toughest environments!  Whereas homemade foods, are made to be digestible and easy on the stomach.

This made me remember a link I read few weeks ago about the Happy Meal Burger that wouldn't deteriorate or rotten, even after 6 months !  Another proof by mother to show her children not to eat junk food and  convince them to eat homemade meals.

The next time I am going  eat something purely processed, I am going to imagine my stomach suffering to disgest it .

A McDonald's Happy Meal shows no sign of decomposing after SIX MONTHS , Read More  !  

*Bardin is currently in residence at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center in New York and teaches at Parsons The New School For Design and The New School for Public Engagement.